Sparks features interviews with RAILS members and other leaders in the library/related fields. We intend to spark conversation, comment, and debate about current trends and issues affecting all types of libraries.
RAILS Executive Director Dee Brennan talks with Amita Lonial about how she got involved in the Libraries4BlackLives movement, the goals of the movement moving forward, and how libraries can get involved in efforts to foster racial equity and social justice.
Intro/outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com/
RAILS Executive Director Dee Brennan (left) talks with Sylvia Norton (center), Executive Director of the American Association of School Librarians, and Megan Cusick (right), Grassroots Specialist at the Office for Library Advocacy, about the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Topics include the status of the legislation in Illinois and why it is critical for library staff from all types of libraries to work together to support school libraries.
Intro/outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com/
RAILS Executive Director Dee Brennan talks with Miguel Figueroa, Director of the Center for the Future of Libraries (http://www.ala.org/transforminglibraries/future). They discuss why the American Library Association started the center, how libraries can use its work to prepare for the future, and how to identify important trends.
Intro/outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com/
RAILS Executive Director Dee Brennan talks with Cindy Fuerst, Director of the Vernon Area Public Library District (http://www.vapld.info/) about how her library eliminated overdue library fines. Cindy shares how this decision was made, the resulting benefits, and some interesting before and after statistics.
Intro/outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com/
RAILS Executive Director Dee Brennan talks with David Seleb. David is the director of the Oak Park Public Library, which recently hired a full-time social worker to improve the library's engagement with the community.
Intro/outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com/